Stars And Topsoil A Collection (1982-1990)

Sound DNA

• Alt/Indie
• Alternative Rock

• shimmering
• ethereal
• coastal

About

Long before dreampop was a genre, Robin Guthrie and Simon Raymonde of the Grangeland, Scotland–based Cocteau Twins were pioneering the sound. These songs chronologically span the Twins' tenure on 4AD before they signed to Fontana/Capitol for 1993’s <i>Four Calendar Café</i>—the album where Fraser first sang in proper English. Before that, her vocal approach focused on creating abstract textures and sounds with her beautiful soprano. “Blind Dumb Deaf” from 1982’s <i>Garlands</i> opens with an immediately decipherable nod to Joy Division’s dark pulsing bass lines and early-'80s Cure. The following “Sugar Hiccup” from 1983’s <i>Head over Heels</i> finds Guthrie and Raymonde moving away from gothy post-punk trappings and exploring new six-string soundscapes, which would be further realized in the gauzy chimes of “Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops” and the seductive “Lorelei.” <i>Victorialand</i>'s opening track, “Lazy Calm,” solidified their sound, ushering in an Eno-like ambience under Fraser’s ethereal inflections. The standout songs “Carolyn’s Fingers” and “Heaven or Las Vegas” infused accessible pop melodies.

via Apple Music

Tracklist

Credits